Wind instrument of the reed type



Aug. 18, 1936. E v POWELL 2,051,176

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WIND INSTRUMENT OF THE REED TYPE Filed Sept. 29, 1954 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 F1920. Zgel Ryazan.

Patented ug. 18, 1936 UNITED STATES ATET GFFICE 18 Claims.

This invention relates to wind instruments of the reed type, such as the saxophone, the clarinet, the oboe and the bassoon, though it is more especially concerned with the saxophone. The invention aims to provide a system which will faithfully reproduce the notes of the lower register of the saxophone in their first harmonics, or octaves. Another aim is to improve and to simplify the Gil key mechanism.

A brief explanation of the fundamental principies involved in the octave system will aid in obtaining a clear understanding of the invention. Let us first consider the vibrating air column in a cylindrical or parallel-sided tube such as an organ pipe. When air under pressure is admitted to the inlet end of the pipe, the point of maximum pressure or density of the air is midway between the ends. If we make a large hole (which is equivalent to cutting oi the pipe) toward the outlet, the air column is shortened that much, the point of maximum pressure shifts toward the inlet to a point midway between the two ends, and the pitch of the note rises. As this condition changes, the point of maximum pressure retreats toward the inlet, and the pitch rises with the introduction of successive large holes (or cutting off thev pipe) toward the inlet.

With a given length of pipe, it is possible to play the fundamental note with a moderate pressure, and Without change in the pipe, but with greater pressure, to play the first harmonic, or octave of that note. However, under this condition, the first harmonic, or octave, is unstable and difficult to obtain and maintain. This condition can be removed and a stable, true tone obtained by introducing a small, octave hole at or near the point of maximum, pressure, that is, midway or nearly midway of the pipe.

In saxophones as heretofore generally used, two such octave holes are provided-one for use with an air column Yof one length, and the other for use with a shorter air column (secured by opening large holes near the-lower end of the instrument) but as the pipe or tube is tapered, the point of maximum pressure in each case is 'not midway in the air column but is nearer the upper, or inlet end.

However, even by the provision of two octave holes, a number of false tones, or imperfect octave-harmonics, are produced. All saxophones now on the market have two octave holes to cover the entire upper register. rI'his imperfection of the present instruments is well understood, and various attempts have been made to provide a third octave hole but the mechanisms which have been provided for this purpose are cumbersome, complicated and extremely difficult to operate.

The upper register of the saxophone (sixteen notes in all) theoretically requires an octave hole for each note, because of the peculiar measurements of the saxophone. This, however, is obviously impracticable, and it is necessary to make a compromise. l have discovered that one oc l0 tave hole, suitably placed, Will eiciently accommodate four or ve notes (half steps) but no more. Four octave holes will produce a smooth curve of qualityV of tones for the entire upper register. According to my invention, three or l5 four octave holes are entirely practicable with the utmost simplicity of mechanism and convenience in operation.

The most important features of this mechanism are, (l) the positive opening and closing of tWo octave holes by one rigid member, (2) the operation of the fourth hole with the side (or knuckle) keys operating the high notes, and (3) the opening of the third octave hole in the upper register with the closing of the first-mentioned two holes. Other features and advantages will appear during the course of the following detailed description.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings of one specic embodiment thereof, while its scope will be pointed out more particularly in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is an elevation ofY a saxophone embodying the invention;

Figs. 2 to 6 inclusive are elevations on an enlarged scale as viewed from the left of Fig. 1, illustrating different positions of the octave mechanism;

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are Views partly in elevation and partly in section, on a still larger scale, illustrating different positions of a portion of the octave mechanism;

Fig. 101s a sectional View, on a still larger scale, 45 on line Iii-I 0 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows on said line;

Fig. 11 is a sectional View on an enlarged scale on line lI-Il of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows on said line;

Fig. 12 is a somewhat diagrammatic development of a portion of a saxophone, illustrating a portion of the octave mechanism;

Fig. 13 is .a sectional view on line |3--l3 of Fig. 12; 55

Figs. 14, 15 and 16 are elevations illustrating in dilierent positions the mechanism operated by the fourth finger of the left hand to raise a cover to play the note Gli;

Fig. 17 is a longitudinal, sectional view of the mechanism shown in Figs. 14, 15 and 16 in a plane containing the axis of the shaft;

Fig. 18 is a sectional view on line l8-l8 of Fig. 17, looking in the direction of the arrows on said line; and

Figs. 19, 20, 21 and 22 are diagrams illustrating the considerations involved in the locations of octave holes.

Referrings to the drawings, and to the embodiment of the invention which has been selected for illustration, there is shown a saxophone whose general construction and mode of operation are usual and well known, and only those parts which are necessary to an understanding of the present invention will be described in detail.

The saxophone has a pipe comprising a body 25 (see Fig. 1) to which is attached a neck 25, the usual mouth-piece provided with a reed being omitted. The usual tone hole covers and their operating mechanisms will be described only to the extent necessary or desirable to gain a proper understanding of the present invention. The instrument comprises tone hole covers, which, beginning at thel lower portion of the instrument, are designated 2l to 45 inclusive, controlling corresponding tone holes which are not designated because they are hidden by their respective covers, but it is deemed unnecessary to show the holes because they are well known. The covers 2l to 3@ inclusive and 52 to 36 inclusive are normally elevated by springs, as usual, and the covers 3l, 3l, 38, 35 and 4G are normally depressed by springs which it will be unnecessary to describe, with certain exceptions hereinafter noted, as their operation is well understood.

For the sake of simplicity, directness and brevity, let it be considered that the fingers and the keys which they operate be designated T-L, l-L, 2-L, 3-L and 4-L, as referring to the thumb and the first, second, third and fourth fingers, respectively, of the left hand, and l-R, 2-R, 3-R land 4 1?, as referring to the iirst, second, third and fourth ngers of the right hand. In the case of l-L, the finger operates two keys alternatively, and one is designated l-L and the other l-L-X. In the case of T-L, the thumb is sometimes on a key T-L and sometimes on a fixed button designated T-L-X. Such of the so-called knuckle keys as it is necessary to refer to will be given other designations as hereinafter noted.

The knuckle of the rst finger operates a key K-L-l-ll, the middle phalange of the same finger operates a key P-L-l-Z, and the basal phalange of the third finger operates a key P-1r-'3-43.

The octave mechanisms and the related parts will now be described, reference being had at rst to Fig. 1. The cover 32 and the key or .arm -L are rigidly mounted on a rock-shaft 44 which rocks on xed pivots 45 secured to brackets i6 and 4l. Also rigidly mounted on the rock-shaft lill is an arm 4B. A spring 49 (Fig. l2), having one end rigidly anchored in the bracket 4l, has its other end engaged with an arm rigidly mounted on the shaft 44. The spring 49 is so arranged that it constantly tends to turn the shaft 44 in the proper direction to lift the cover 32, the key 3-L and the arm 48 from the body 25.

The arm 48 (see Fig. 10) overlies andis normally spaced from an arm which is rigidly mounted on a sleeve 5l, the latter being loosely mounted on and about a fixed shaft 52 whose ends are mounted in brackets 53 and 55- (see Fig. 12). Also rigidly mounted on this sleeve is .an arm 55 which carries a pivot 55 on which a balance lever 5l is mounted to rock. This lever carries two pivots 58 and 59, having loosely rocking connection, one with a thumb key T--L and the other with an arm 65, the latter being rigidly mounted on a sleeve 5l which is loosely mounted on and about the shaft 52, and on this sleeve is also rigidly mounted an arm 52. The arm 55 carries an octave hole cover 63 which controls an octave hole 64 (see Figs. '.7, 8 and 9), and the arm 52 carries an octave hole cover 55 which controls an octave hole 55. The reason for providing these two, adjacent octave holes will be explained hereinafter. The arms 55 ,and G2 and their covers 63 and 55, being rigidly connected, move as one. f

These covers are normally seated upon their respective holes by a spring now to be described.

Returning now to Figs. 10 and 1l, the balance lever 5l also rigidly carries a short arm 6l which is notched to receive the free end of a spring 68 whose other end is rigidly anchored in th-e arm 55. This spring has a peculiar and important triple action; it is so arranged that it constantly tends to rock the balance lever 5l on the pivot 55 in the direction of the adjacent arrow in Fig. ll;

and thus, through the balancing action of the lever 5l, the spring B8 tends to elevate the key T-L, and also to depress the arms 68 and E52 and to press the octave hole covers 53 and 55 onto their respective octave holes 64 and 65.

The spring 58 has also a third function which will be evident from an examination of Fig. 10 and a comparison with Fig. ll. When the covers 63 and 55 are seated, the spring 58 tends to press the arm 5i! inwardly against the body 25 of the instrument, and as the arm cannot travel inwardly, the reaction of the spring is to elevate the key T-L. Thus, the described octave mechanism is so constructed that the two covers S3 and 65 are normally seated (see Fig. '7), and the key T-L is normally elevated.

Now then, unless the arm 50 (see Fig. 10) be restrained by the arm 58, as presently explained, inward pressure of the left thumb on the key T-L (see Fig. 8) will depress the pivot 58 inwardly toward the body of the instrument, and as the arm 65 cannot swing inwardly, the pivot 59 becomes the fulcrum of the lever 5l, and the latter (see Fig. i0), as a consequence, swings the arm 55 inwardly and rocks the sleeve 5l about the shaft 52, thus swinging the arm 5D outwardly from the body 25. On the other hand, if the arm 5B (see Fig. 1G) be restrained by the arm 48, as presently explained, the arm 55 which carries the pivot 56 is maintained in its elevated position shown in Fig. 9, and therefore, if pressure of the left thumb be applied to the key T--L, the pivot 55 becomes the fulcrum of the lever 5l and the octave hole covers are raised. Restraint of the arm 50 by the arm 4S, as irst mentioned, is caused by pressure of the third linger of the left hand upon the key 3 1..

When there is no pressure upon the key 3-L, pressure of the left thumb on the key T-L rocks the balance lever 57 on its upper pivot 59, and the arm 55 is swung inwardly, thus rocking the sleeve 5| and the arm 50; it also rocks a rod or yoke 69 (Fig. 12) rigidly attached to the arm 50 and to another arm lll loosely mounted on and about the shaft 52. The rod 69 is prolonged beyond the varm 'I0 and the bracket 54 and rigidly carries a third arm 1I having an inwardly offset portion 12 which underlies the lower end of a lever 13 having a sleeve portion 14 (see Fig. l) mountedl to rock on a shaft 15 whose ends are supported by brackets 16 and 11 on the neck 26.

The upper end of the lever 13 carries an octave hole cover 18 normally seated upon an octave hole 19 (shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6) by'a spring 80 one end of which is xedly anchored in the bracket 11, while the other end engages an arm 8| fixedly carried by the lever 13. The action of the lever, because of its form .and the direction of its fulcrurn, will best be understood by an examination of Fig. l from which it is evident that when the lower end of the lever is lifted by the underlying offset 12 of the arm 1|, ashereinbefore explained, the upper end of the lever also rises and lifts the cover 18 in opposition to the spring 80.

Returning to the balance lever 51 (Fig. 12) the latter has another function which will now be described. If pressure of the left thumb be exerted on the key T-L, the arm 50 is thereby elevated. When, therefore, pressure of the ythird finger of the left hand is exerted on the key 3-L, thus rocking the shaft 44, the arm 48, rigidly carried by said shaft, engages the arm 50 and swings the latter inwardly thus rocking the sleeve 5I and swinging the arm 55 and the pivot 56 outwardly.

The lower pivot 58 of the balance lever 51 now becomes the fulcrum of the latter, and the upper pivot 59 of said lever rises, and through its connection with the arm 60, lifts the keys 63 and 65 because said keys are rigidly connected to each other by the sleeve 6 I Also, when this takes place, inasmuch as the arm 50 is rigidly connected by the yoke 69 to the arm 1|, the underlying portion 12 of the latter disengages the lever 13 and allows the octave hole cover 18 to close upon 19.

The fourth octave hole cover and its operating mechanism will now be described, reference being had at first to Fig. 12. It will be remembered that brief mention has been made of three knuckle keys which operate the tone hole covers 31, 38 and 40. The key K-L--I-'4I operates the cover 31 by being fixedly secured to a sleeve 8I-a (see Fig. 13) to which there is also xedly secured an arm 82 (now see Fig. 12) which carries the cover 31. The sleeve 8I-a is loosely mounted on and about a shaft 83 (see Fig. 13) which is fixedly mounted in brackets 84, 85 and 86. A spring 81, fixedly secured at one end to the bracket 84, and having its other end received in a lug 88 on the sleeve 8 I ag constantly tends to seat the cover 31 (see Fig. 12). Pressure of the knuckle of the first finger of the left'hand on the key K-L-I-III lifts the cover 31 in opposition to the spring 81.

The key P-LI42 operates the cover 38 by being fixedly secured to a second sleeve 89 (see Fig. 13) to which there is also fixedly secured an arm 90 (now see Fig. 12) which carries the cover 38. The sleeve 89 .is loosely mounted on and about the same shaft 83 on which the sleeve 8| is mounted. A spring 9|, xedly secured at one end to the bracket 86 and having its other end resting against a lug 92on the sleeve 89, constantly tends to seat the cover 38. Pressure of a phalange of the first finger of the left hand on the key P-L-I-42 lifts the cover 38 in opposition to the spring 9|.

The key P-L-3-43 operates the cover 40 by being fixedly secured to a sleeve 93, to which is xedly secured an arm 94 (see Fig. 12) which carries the cover 40.V The sleevek 93 is loosely mounted on a shaft `95 supported in the brackets 84 and 86;. A spring 96 (Fig. 13), xedly secured at one end to the bracket 86 and having its other end resting against a lug 91` xedly mounted on the sleeve 93 constantly tends to lower the cover lli).l Pressure of a phalange of the third linger of the left hand ons the key P-L-3--43 lifts the cover 49 in opposition tov the spring 95.

When the key P-L-I-42 is depressed, as hereinbefore described, to lift the cover 38, a lug or cam 98 (Fig. 13) xedly mounted on the sleeve 89, engages a rod or yoke 99 (Fig. 12) whose ends are xedly mounted on arms |00 and 19| which are loosely mounted on the shaft 95 adjacent to the brackets 84 and 86, respectively. Also Axedly mounted on the upper end of the rod or yoke 99is an arm |02 (see Fig. 12) having an inwardly offset portion |83 which underlies the lower end of a lever |04 having a sleeve portion |05Y (see Fig. 4) mounted to rock on and about a shaft (notshown) whose ends are fixedly supported by brackets |06 and |01 on the neck 26. The upper end of the lever |04 carries an octave hole cover |08 normally seated upon an octave hole |09 by a spring IIO, one end of which is flxedly secured in the bracket |01, while the other end engages an armv II I xedly carried by the lever |04. When the lower end of the lever is lifted bythe underlying offset |83 of the arm 592, as hereinbefore explained, the upper end of the lever also rises and lifts the cover |08 in opposition to the spring |I0.

Pressure on any one of the knuckle keys K-L-I-M or P-L-I-42, or P-L-3-43,

lifts not only the tone hole covercontrolled by such key (i. e., the covers 31, 38 and 40), but alsolifts the octave hole cover |08. For example, when the key K L-I-II is depressed to raise the tone hole cover 31, the spring lug 38 (see Fig. 13) acts as an arm or cam against the rod or yoke 99 (Fig. 12) to rock the latter and therefore to cause the octave hole cover |08 to be lifted. When the key F-L-I42 is depressed to lift the tone hole cover 38, the arm or cam 98, as already explained, engages and rocks the rod or yoke 99, and thus causes the octave hole cover |08 to be lifted. When the key P--L-3-43 is depressed to raise the tone hole cover 40, the arm 94 which carries said cover and which underlies the rod or yoke 99, rocks the latter and thus, through the arm |02 carried by said yoke, rocks the lever |04 and lifts the octave hole cover |08. Thus, the octave hole cover is lifted conjointly with the lifting of each of the tone hole covers 31, 38 and 40.

There is still another novel way of lifting the octave hole cover |88, which may be availed of, if desired. Overlying the tone hole covers 35 and 36 is a key L-I'-I I2 carried by a yoke-like arm I I3 which embraces and is pivotally supported by a bracket II4 and is limited in its outward movement by an arm I I5 normally vengaging the body 25 of the instrument. The arm IIS has an extension IIS extending lengthwise of the instrument and overlying an arm |I1 rigidly carried by the sleeve 93. When, therefore, the key L I-I I2 is depressed by the-first finger of the left hand, the normally elevated tone hole covers 35 and 36 are depressed, and the tone hole cover 40 is elevated; and the octave hole cover |08 also is elevated.

The key L-I-I I2 is an auxiliary lever and is usedin playing certain higher-harmonic or third register notes not normally considered to be withinthe range ofthe saxophone. The fact that pressure on this key causes the octave hole cover |38 to be lifted is an advantage; the reason apparently being that the octave hole |09, being nearer the generating source of vibrations, favors notes of higher frequencies.

The key L I--I I2 is called the high F key, and for the purposes of this invention, an explanation of its use in playing that one note is believed to be suicient. The fingering for playing this note is L-I-l |2, 2-L, T-L. This will produce the note F above the stai.

The construction and mode of operation of the tone hole cover mechanisms are old and well known, except as modied by the described octave mechanisms, and except for the novel tone mechanism presently to be described, and it therefore is deemed unnecessary to show or to describe the tone hole mechanisms in detail. The exception, just noted, has to do with the Git key whose prime function is to control the interval G-Gii. This mechanism is simplified, as compared with the prior art, by the employment of a three-function spring, and, in this respect, it broadly resembles the described octave mechanism in which simplication is achieved by the three-function spring 68.

This new Gt mechanism will now be described, reference being had to Figs. 14 to 18 inclusive. The tone hole cover 3| is carried by an arm ||8 which is rigidly carried by a sleeve ||9 loosely mounted on and about a xed shaft |20 whose ends are mounted in brackets 2| and |22. Also fixedly mounted on the sleeve H9 is an arm |23 having a lug |24 overlying the outer side (underneath, as viewed in Figs. 14, 15, 16 and 17) of an arm |25 which is rigidly mounted on a second sleeve |25 loosely mounted on and about the shaft |25, and on this sleeve the key 4--L is rigidly mounted.

A spring |21 is rigidly secured at one end to the bracket |22 and its free end is received in a recess |28 in one end of a lever |29 which presents two rounded pivots |30 and |3| having pivotal connection with the arms |23 and |25, respectively, as by being received in holes therein.

Normally, the key fi--L is maintained in an elevated position and the tone hole cover 3| is maintained depressed (see Fig, 14) by the, spring |21 whose thrust is in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figs. 14, 15, 16 and 17 and from the observer. The key 4-L is elevated because the thrust of the spring tends to move the lever |29 bodily from the observer and thus to swing the arm |25 from the observer and to rock the sleeve |25 clockwise as viewed in Fig. 18. The tone hole cover 3| is depressed because the arm |25 is urging the overlying lug |24 outwardly and the latter is rigidly connected by the arm |23, sleeve. ||9 and arm ||8 to the cover 3|.

When the key rl-L is pressed toward the horn body, in opposition to the spring |21, the arm |25 moves in an inward direction until it strikes the horn body. But the thrust of the spring maintains the arm |25 against the lug |24 of the arm |23 and therefore the latter rocks the sleeve ||9, and through the arm |8, lifts the cover 3|. This is the condition shown in Fig. 15, and exists when the tone hole cover 39 is in its elevated position.

Now, with the key 1|-L depressed and with the arm |25 held xed, the pivot |3| of the lever |29 becomes its fulcrum, and if any one or all of the keys I-R, Z-R, 3-R are depressed, an arm |32, rigidly carried by the tone hole cover 30 and overlying the tone hole cover 3|, depresses the latter, in opposition to th resistance of th spring |21. This is because of the fact that the rocking of the arm IIS, sleeve ||9 and arm |23 causes the latter, connected to the pivot |30, to swing the lower end of the lever |29 inwardly, said lever rocking about the pivot |3| as a fulcrum, and the upper end of said lever swinging toward the observer, in opposition to the spring |21. During this movement, the lug |24 of the arm |23 swings away from the underlying arm |25. This condition is shown in Fig. 16.

This same condition is sometimes obtained by first closing and maintaining the cover 3| closed by the arm |32, with I-R, 2--R and 3-R, and then depressing the key 1 -L. In this case, the lever |29 rocks on the pivot |30 as a fulcrum as the arm |25 moves away from the lug |24 of the arm |23 and toward the horn body.

'I'he whole of the mechanism just described is a unit with a single spring to provide a new means for the opening and closing of the tone hole cover 3| by pressure on the key d-L, or by depressing the keys |-R, 2-R, 3-R.

It will be remembered that in saxophones, as heretofore generally used, there are but two octave holes to cover the. entire upper register and that their limitations are such that a number of false tones, or imperfect octave-harmonics, are produced; that the sixteen notes in the upper register, in theory, require an octave hole for each note; and that four octave holes will produce a smooth curve of quality of tones for the upper register.

This important and very desirable and useful result is achieved by the use of the four octave holes, their covers, and the described mechanism by which they are operated. The locations of these octave holes, with relation to the musical scale, will now be explained.

Let us first consider a musical horn A, as shown in Fig. 19, with an air column vibrating in the iirst or octave-harmonic. The condition of pressure is represented by a sinusoidal wave W showing a point of zero pressure at 9:. If a small hole be made in the plane o, passing through .'r, the desired effect would be to sustain the octave frequency against its natural fundamental. For practical purposes, it is found that this hole may be made within a region between the planes o and 01+.

Now, let us consider several graded lengths of horn A, B, and C, shown in Figs. 19, 20 and 21, respectively, with the same conditions of an octave region slightly displaced with the shortening of the horn length. There is a region M at the same distance from the small ends of all the horns, which region is common to o and 01+ of all the horns.

If, now, we combine these several horns into one horn having the length of A provided with large holes toward the large end for the purpose of changing the effective length of the horn, and if we make a small hole in the region of M, this single hole will satisfy the octave requirements of several different frequencies provided by the diierent lengths of horn.

With respect to the saxophone in question, let us consider the right hand section (i. e. the section played by the right hand) which, in effect, controls seven different lengths of horn. Fig. 22 shows these lengths of pipe by their respective tone holes D, Ditt and so on. Their respective zero pressure points are shown by Do, Doit, Got.

For this greater range of horn lengths, there is no region M commonto all, and therefore one octave hole will not satisfy the octave requirements of all frequencies. We therefore conveniently divide the problem into two parts. First, let us consider Do-Eo, inclusive. We locate a region M', where a small hole will give good octaves for D-E, inclusive. Second, for Fo-Got, we locate a region M2 which will give good octaves for F--GiL inclusive.

In the actual instrument shown and described, these two octave holes are designated 64 and 65. The eiiect of these two holes being open at the same time is that when one is acting as an octave hole, the other is a small leak, and vice versa, when the second is an octave hole, the first is a leak. This leak is shown by test to be negligible and so, for the sake of simplicity, I have the two holes open and close together, for it will be remembered that the two octave hole covers 63 and 65 are rigidly connected to move as one.

I will now explain the considerations governing the locations of the octave holes 19 and |09 in the neck of the instrument.

The hole T9 operates for five horn lengths (live half tones), controlled by the left hand as fo-llows: (I-L, l-L-X, T-L, Z-L); (l-L, 'IL-L, |-L-X); (I-L, T-L); (2--L, T-L); (T-L). For these live notes, the hole 'I9 is tapped at the region of M for thes-e horn lengths.

The hole |09 operates four horn lengths (four half tones), controlled by the left and right hands as follows: (T-L, K-Ir--L-JH) T-L, K L-I-M, P-L--I-AZ); (T-L, K-L-I- 4|, P-L-|-42, P--R-|); (T-L, K--L-I-M, P--L--I-42, P-R-|, P-L-3--43) For these four notes, the hole |09 is tapped at the region M for these horn lengths.

My system supplants existing systems as follows: the holes 54 and 6G replace a single hole which was outside the region M for certain border tones the hole 19 has been moved down the ho-rn to its proper position for the above-described notes; and the hole |09 is an added or new hole:-in other words, the holes 19 and |09 replace .a single hole which was outside the region M for other border tones. In short, four holes replace two: two for one in the body; and two for one in the neck. And the mechanism for accomplishing this is controlled by the left hand; an important consideration.

From the foregoing description it will be gathered that the improvements in the instrument are of two kinds: tonal and mechanical. The tonal improvement is secured by the presence and position of. the four octave holes. The mechanical advantages are, in part, the result of the means for opening and closing these four holes. And it is important to note that these means are all'mechanically operated by the left hand. All other systems in general use are twohole systems which produce a number of false notes, or imperfect octave-harmonics in the upper register.

As already stated, attempts have been made to overcome these false notes by the use of triple-hole key systems which, however, require the use of both hands, and which, moreover, are complicated and impractical. I believe that, in arriving at the four-hole principle, I have produced a broadly novel invention which is far superior to all prior octave systems.

The mechanism will readily be understood by considering it in two parts. The first part has to do with the holes 64, 65 and 19 and their covers. The covers for the holes 64 and 66 are rigidly connected to open and close together and thus can be considered as a single key. With the left thumb on the key T-L and with the third ringer of the left hand on key 3-L, three combinations of key positions are possible, namely: (1) No levers depressed (norrna1); (2) T-L and 3-L depressed; (3) T-L alone depressed. It should be noted that the single spring 65, causing a thrust on the balance lever 5l, accomplishes the three actions of the latter.

The second part of the mechanism is this: the three keys K-L-l-lll, P-L-I-42, and P-L---li, in addition to their normal function of opening their own tone-holes, also have Contacty with a common connection |53 to lift the tone hole cover |08 from its opening.

The mode of playing the instrument, insofar as the present invention is concerned, should be understood by those skilled in the art, but will now be covered briefly, by a description of the finger movements and the resulting mechanical actions in playing the chromatic scale, beginning with D in the staff through F above the staii, which represents the range of the upper register of the saxophone.

The notes D to Cii, inclusive, of the upper register are the same fingering as the corresponding notes of the lower register with the only difference that for those notes of the upper register the left thumb engages the octave key T-L. The rest of the operation is automatic with the other lingers.

Proceeding up the scale, we come to the interval C of the lower register to D of the upper register. The position for C is simply the middle finger (Z-L) of the left hand; the position for D of the upper register is the fingers I, 2, and 3 of the left and right hands and the thumb of the left hand.

Referring to the drawings (Fig. 12), this is what happens: the third linger of the left hand depresses the lever 3-L, which operates through the shaft 44 and arm 48 to hold the arm 50 depressed. The arm 5i), having rigid connection with the arm 55, holds the latter iixed, so that the pressure of the thumb of the left hand on the key T-L causes the lever 5'! to rock on the pivot 56, thus raising the octave hole covers 63 and 65 from their openings.

This condition continues while the lingers 3, 2, and I of the right hand are lifted consecutively to play the notes E, F, and G of the upper register. From G to A of the upper register (lifting the third iinger of the left hand) great changes occur. 'Ihe raising of the third finger of the left hand releases the key 3-L and allows the arm 48 to rise. The spring t8 (Fig. 10) allows the lever 51 to rock on the pivot 56, thereby to depress the arm 55 and the arms 5G and'Z, thus lowering the octave hole covers 63 and 65 onto their openings, and also allowing the arm 5l] to rock and to follow the arm 8 in its movement from the body of the instrument. At the same time, the yoke 69 swings the arm '12, thus rocking the lever i3 to raise the octave hole cover 'I8 from its opening. This condition prevails for the notes A, B, and Ct of the upper register.

For the note D, the knuckle of the first linger of the left hand engages and depresses the key K-L--l-M, which, in addition to opening its own hole, causes the arm |03 to rock the lever |94, thereby to raise the octave hole cover |08 from its opening. This condition prevails for the remainder of the register. This applies alsoto the keys P--L-I-42 and P--L-3-43,gand insures the lifting of the octave hole cover |08 for the notes E, F.

Having thus described one embodiment of the invention, but without limiting myself thereto, what I claim, and desire by Letters Patent, to secure is:

1. In a wind instrument of the reed type, such as a saxophone, the combination of a pipe provided with the usual tone holes and at least three octave holes, two of which are adjacent each other, movable covers and operating mechanism for said tone holes, said operating mechanism including left hand knuckle keys for operating the covers of certain of said tone holes, movable covers for said octave holes, a rigid connection between the two covers of said two adjacent octave holes, and mechanism controlled by said knuckle keys for controlling the cover of a remaining octave hole.

2. In a wind instrument of the reed type, such as a saxophone, the combination of a pipe provided with the usual tone holes and at least three octave holes, two of which are adjacent each other, at least one of which octave holes is for the notes D to F inclusive above the stair, movable covers and operating mechanism for said tone holes, and movable covers and operating mechanism for said octave holes, the last-mentioned mechanism including a rigid connection between the covers of said two adjacent octave holes.

3. In a wind instrument of the reed type, such as a saxophone, the combination of a pipe provided with the usual tone holes including high D, Dit, E and F, and at least three octave holes, two of which are adjacent each other, movable covers and operating mechanism for said tone holes, including keys for high D, Dit, E and F, covers for said octave holes, a rigid connection between the two covers of said two adjacent octave holes, and means controlled by any one or all of said keys for controlling the cover of a remaining octave hole.

4. In a wind instrument of the reed type, such as a saxophone the combination of a pipe provided with the usual tone holes including high D, Dit, E and F, and at least three octave holes, two of which are adjacent each other, movable covers and operating mechanism for said tone holes, including keys for high D, Dt, E and F, covers for said octave holes, a rigid connection between the two covers of said two adjacent octave holes, and means controlled by said D key for controlling the cover of a remaining octave hole.

5. In a wind instrument of the reed type, such as a saxophone, the combination of a pipe provided with the usual tone holes including high D, Dit, E and F, and at least three octave holes, two of which are adjacent each other, movable covers and operating mechanism for said tone holes, including keys for high D, Dt, E and F, covers for said octave holes, a rigid connection between the two covers of said two adjacent octave holes, and means controlled by said D# key for controlling the cover of a remaining octave hole.

6. In a wind instrument of the reed type, such as a saxophone, the combination of a pipe provided with the usual tone holes including high D, Dt, E and F, and at least three octave holes, two of which are adjacent each other, movable covers and operating mechanism for said tone holes, including keys for high D, Dit, E and F, covers for said octave holes, a rigid connection between the two covers of said two adjacent octave holes, and means controlled by a part of said operating mechanism for controlling the cover of a remaining octave hole.

7. In a wind instrument of the reed type, such as a saxophone, the combination of a pipe provided with the usual tone holes including high D, Dt, E and F, and at least three octave holes, two of which are adjacent each other, movable covers and operating mechanism for said tone holes, including keys for high D, Dit, E and F, covers for said octave holes, a rigid connection between the two covers of said two adjacent octave holes, and means controlled by said F key for controlling the cover of a remaining octave hole.

8. In a wind instrument of the reed type, such as a saxophone, the combination of a pipe provided with the usual tone holes and more than two octave holes, two of which are adjacent each other, movable covers and operating mechanism for said tone holes, movable covers for said octave holes, and operating mechanism for said octave hole covers, the last-mentioned operating mechanism including keys operated by the left hand, and a rigid connection between said two adjacent octave holes.

9. In a wind instrument of the reed type, such as a saxophone, the combination of a pipe provided with the usual tone holes and more than 9 three octave holes, movable covers and operating mechanism for said tone holes, movable covers for said octave holes, and operating mechanism for said octave hole covers, the last-mentioned operating mechanism including keys operated by the left hand.

10. In a wind instrument of the reed type, such as a saxophone, the combination of a pipe provided with the usual tone holes and more than two octave holes, two of which are adjacent each other, movable covers and operating mechanism for said tone holes, movable covers for said octave holes, and mechanism for controlling the operation of said octave hole covers and including a positive connection causing the covers of said two adjacent octave holes to be open at once.

11. In a wind instrument of the reed type, such as a saxophone, the combination of a pipe provided with the usual tone holes and more than two octave holes, two of which are adjacent each other, movable covers and operating mechanism for said tone holes, movable covers for said octave holes, and mechanism for controlling the operation of said octave hole covers and including a positive connection between the two covers of said two adjacent octave holes, causing such two covers to be open at once.

12. In a wind instrument of the reed type, such as a saxophone, the combination of a pipe provided with the usual tone holes and more than two octave holes, two of which are adjacent each other and two of which control the notes D to Gt inclusive of the upper register, movable covers for said octave holes, and mechanism for controlling said octave hole covers, said mechanism including a positive connection between the two covers of said two adjacent octave holes.

13. In a wind instrument of the reed type, such as a saxophone, the combination of a pipe provided with the usual tone holes and at least three octave holes, two of which are adjacent each other and at least one of which controls the notes D to Gt inclusive in the upper register, movable covers for said octave holes, and operating mechanism for said octaveA hole covers operated by the left hand, said mechanism including a positive connection between the two covers of said two adjacent octave holes.

i4. In a wind instrument of the reed type, such as a saxophone, the combination of a -pipe provided with the usual tone holes and four octave holes, one of which controls the notes D to G# inclusive in the upper register, movable covers for said octave holes, and operating mechanism for said octave hole covers.

l5. In a wind instrument of the reed type, Such as a saxophone, the combination of a pipe provided with the usual tone holes and more than two octave holes, two of which are adjacent each other and one of which controls the notes A to Cit inclusive in the upper register, movable covers for said octave holes, and operating mechanism for said octave hole covers, said mechanism including a positive connection between the two covers or" said two adjacent octave holes.

16. In a wind instrument of the reed type, such as a saxophone, the combination of a tube provided with the usual tone holes and at least three octave holes, two of which are adjacent each other, movable covers and operating mechanism for said tone holes, and movable covers and operating mechanism for said octave holes, the lastmentioned mechanism including a positive connection between the two covers ol? said two adjacent octave holes, connected levers operated by two ngers, and a single spring connected to said levers and which effects three separate actions.

1'7. In a wind instrument of the reed type, such as a saxophone, the combination of a tube provided with tvvo adjacent octave holes, covers for said holes, and operating mechanism including a thumb-operated key, a balance lever, and a three function spring which is connected to said lever and normally maintains said covers depressed and said key elevated and which elevates said covers when said key is depressed.

18. In a wind instrument of the reed type, such as a saxophone, the combination of a tube provided with two adjacent octave holes, covers for said holes, and operating mechanism including a thumb-operated key, a oating lever, a spring connected to said lever, and mechanism connecting said lever, on the one hand to said key and on the other hand to said covers, to er1- able said spring normally to maintain said covers depressed and said key elevated, and to elevate said covers when said key is depressed.

EDWARD V. POWELL. 

